Threads is preparing a feature inspired by Bluesky’s Starter Packs, according to reports from TechCrunch and other publications. Chris Messina, who coined the hashtag, posted a screenshot of the tool on the social network. He also says that you can see an early version of the tool yourself by pasting “installedbarcelona://recommended_follow_lists” into Safari on iOS if you have the latest version of the Threads app.
For those who don’t already know, Bluesky has created Starter Packs – curated lists of people to follow to help newcomers get started in the app. These packs can be formed in several different ways.
This feature has become so popular on Bluesky that there’s even a searchable database of over 37,000 such connections between people. Packages can also be shared directly in feeds, although we don’t know if Threads will allow this.
Bluesky reacted to the move with a scathing response, writing on Threads that “if this app continues to copy our features, you can just join Bluesky.” For those who have been paying attention, Threads has been “paying homage” to all kinds of pre-existing Bluesky features in recent days and months. The platform recently introduced custom feeds and the ability to change the default feed for people you follow.
Why is Threads so eager to mimic some of Bluesky’s most popular features? Well, the latter’s user base has grown significantly over the past few months, recently reaching 20 million. People are fleeing the sinking ship that is X in droves and looking for a replacement. Threads wants to be the same. Bluesky also wants to be the one.
Threads may look like an underdog by adopting some of Bluesky’s features, but it actually has a huge head start. The platform recently announced that more than 35 million users signed up for it in November alone.
